Care Together e-news June 2025
E-newsletter
30 June 2025
If you missed receiving our June Care Together e-newsletter, don’t despair. You can catch up on all of our news below. Sign up at the bottom of the page to receive our next e-news.
From our Program Director: Reflecting on the journey
As June draws to a close, so too does phase one of the Care Together program – a 2.5-year journey that has reimagined what community-led care can look like across Australia.
What began as a bold initiative has grown into a national movement of people, organisations and regions ready to lead change – and do it together.
From Wagin to Glen Innes, Bowen to Murrumbidgee and beyond, we’ve witnessed extraordinary leadership as local communities responded to complex challenges with practical, place-based solutions.
This final month alone has seen Glen Innes launch its new co-operative, Murrumbidgee feature in national media, Girudala lay the foundations for the next 50 years and Co-operative Care Wagin officially open its doors.
Two more milestones have just been reached: the Murrumbidgee Aged Care Network Co-operative received its official registration on Friday, and Eurobodalla has now lodged its application following a successful formation meeting. We look forward to sharing more soon.
In late July, we’ll be sending a special edition to celebrate the full impact of the program. Until then, thank you for being part of this remarkable journey.
Gillian McFee
Program Director, Care Together
Building stronger futures in Bowen
Care Together’s Peter Westoby, Peter Hunt and Nick Hislop recently travelled to Bowen, QLD to support the Girudala Community Co-operative in shaping its new Strategic Plan.
For over 50 years, Girudala has delivered culturally responsive care for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander communities. Now, with growing demand, the co-operative is strengthening its governance, business model and member engagement, all with the aim of expanding its reach and impact.
Read more about Girudala’s renewal and see photos from the visit.
Working together for the future: Co-operative aged care in Murrumbidgee
Across the Murrumbidgee region, seven local, community-based aged care providers are joining forces through the Murrumbidgee Aged Care Network to tackle mounting sector pressures.
With support from Care Together, they’re forming a shared services co-operative to strengthen sustainability, reduce duplication, and gain advocacy power.
Their model was recently profiled in The Weekly SOURCE, highlighting how co-operatives can reshape aged care across regional Australia.
Glen Innes CARE Co-operative launches
The Glen Innes CARE Co-operative Ltd has officially become the second project co-operative established under the Care Together program, continuing the momentum of empowering local communities to lead and deliver essential services.
Backed by the Better Health for the Bush framework, an initiative of the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) to pilot the Comprehensive Approach to Rural Engagement (CARE) model. It’s designed to deliver locally tailored, place-based and patient-centred care.
The Glen Innes CARE Co-operative will be member-owned, not-for-profit and driven by the shared vision of local people, service providers and partner organisations to create sustainable, long-term solutions to rural health challenges.
Co-operative Care Wagin officially opens its doors
On 11 June, Co-operative Care Wagin (CCW) celebrated its official opening, marking a major milestone for the local community.
The Tudhoe Street storefront, now open to the public, represents years of local collaboration to ensure older residents can continue living well in their own homes, with the services they need at their fingertips.
Attended by community leaders, Wagin Shire Council, Juniper, CBH Group and other partners, the launch honoured the hundreds of volunteer hours contributed by the board and steering committee to bring this co-operative to life.
Care Together’s Nick Hislop and Peter Westoby joined the celebration, reflecting our ongoing support for Wagin’s locally led approach to care.
Visit the new CCW website, developed by the Care Together program.
Save the date: August Community of Practice
Our next Social Care Community of Practice will be on Thursday, 7 August 2025, 3:00 – 5:00 pm AEST.
Don’t forget you can watch all of our previous Community of Practice meetings on demand.
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